SENATE MEETS TUESDAY AS FAKE AGENCY BUDGET ROW DEEPENS

The Senate will convene on Tuesday for an emergency session as the controversy surrounding the alleged inclusion of a fake agency in the 2026 budget continues to deepen, with lawmakers demanding full disclosure and accountability.

The upper chamber is expected to deliberate on the matter, which has raised serious questions about the integrity of the budget process and possible collusion by some officials. The fake agency reportedly had a substantial allocation in the budget documents presented to the National Assembly.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who confirmed the emergency meeting, said the Senate will not tolerate any form of fraud or misrepresentation in the nation’s budget. “We must get to the root of this matter. Nigerians deserve transparency and accountability in the management of public funds,” Akpabio stated.

The controversy erupted after eagle-eyed lawmakers and civil society groups discovered the anomaly during the budget defence sessions. The Ministry of Finance has denied knowledge of the agency, prompting calls for a thorough investigation by anti-graft agencies.

Opposition senators have used the opportunity to criticise the executive arm, accusing it of carelessness and lack of due diligence in the budget preparation process. The ruling party senators, however, have called for calm, insisting that the anomaly will be corrected and those responsible sanctioned.

The Senate Committee on Finance is expected to present a preliminary report during Tuesday’s session. Lawmakers have vowed to ensure that the 2026 budget is thoroughly scrutinised before passage to prevent further irregularities.

The development has generated widespread public outrage, with many Nigerians taking to social media to demand a full-scale probe and punishment for any officials found culpable. The incident is seen as another blow to public confidence in the budgeting process.

As the Senate prepares for the crucial meeting, stakeholders are watching closely to see how the legislature will handle the matter and what measures will be put in place to prevent recurrence in future budgets.